KINSTON, NC (September 27, 2016) -- The top-ranked senior amateur in the Carolinas, Paul Simson of Raleigh got off to a hot start in the 9th North Carolina Super Senior Championship, shooting a 6-under-par 65.

Looking to win his first super senior championship, Simson birdied seven holes in his first round. He will take a five stroke lead into Wednesday’s final round over five-time Carolinas Golf Assocation champ Ernie Newton of Winston-Salem and three-time Carolinas Super Senior champion Arlis Pike of Kernersville.

Newton’s round consisted of three birdies and two bogeys. Pike had an up-and-down round that included four birdies and an eagle. Rounding out the lead pairing is Bob Yow of Clinton. Yow shot a first round 71 putting him in a tie for fourth with Charlie Parks of Asheboro, 2013 champion Rick Luzar of Pinehurst, and Dee Blankenhorn of Raleigh.

The final round of the 36-hole championship is set for a 10:00 a.m. shotgun start on Wednesday, September 28.